Agenda - Planning Commission - 06/01/2017

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traffic on Bowers Drive and the lot sizes proposed. As previously noted, per the new MRCCA rules, one (1) acre lots would be acceptable. They also seem to be compatible with many of the other lots along Bowers Drive, with the exception of four or five lots directly across the street. These lots were platted as part of Bowers Mississippi Acres 3rd Addition and are each approximately 200 feet in width. When measured at the building setback line, the proposed lots range from approximately eighty (80) feet in width up to 130 feet in width. While narrower than those directly across the street, the lots are very similar to the majority of existing lots on Bowers Drive. Additionally, the proposed lots range in size from 1 acre up to approximately 1.89 acres in size, which is consistent with the existing lots (ranging from about 0.44 acres to 1.84 acres in size). As noted previously, Bowers Drive is a long cul-de-sac with no other access point. While many of the residents noted at the workshops that they enjoy this setting, it is also a major factor in their concern about construction traffic and potential road damage due to heavy equipment. Staff is open to exploring options to mitigate these concerns but does not have any possible solutions at this time. At the direction of the City, the Sketch Plan does reserve a sixty (60) foot wide outlot that could serve as a future access if/when the vacant land north and east of this site develops in the future, even if only reserved for emergency access. The City's Public Works and Public Safety Teams very much prefer improved access abilities to this neighborhood for a variety of reasons. The proposal includes serving each lot with a private well and septic system, similar to all the existing homes on Bowers Drive. The Sketch Plan does identify both a primary and secondary site for the septic system, a requirement that was not in place when this neighborhood was originally platted. Questions/concerns were raised at the public workshops about the potential impact new wells would have on groundwater levels in the area. If this is identified as a concern of the Planning Commission, part of the direction to the Applicant could include further study to determine if there would be any impact on groundwater. Minnesota Rules 7080 provide baseline protections from contamination due to septic systems. In addition, MRCCA rules continue to provide protections to surface water. Funding Source: All costs associated with processing the Application are the responsibility of the Applicant. There are no City funds proposed to be utilized for the construction of this project. Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Applicant to proceed with preparing a Preliminary Plat. Action: Provide the applicant with feedback, and recommend any changes to the Sketch Plan prior to submission of Preliminary Plat. No formal action is required. Attachments Site Location Map Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Dated March 3, 2016 Public Comments from March 10, 2016 Workshop Public Comments from April 7, 2016 Workshop Sketch Plan Staff Review Letter Form Review Inbox Reviewed By Date Tim Gladhill Tim Gladhill 05/25/2017 02:04 PM Form Started By: Chris Anderson Started On: 05/25/2017 12:27 PM Final Approval Date: 05/25/2017